Non-teaching staff in public universities strike over pay
Kampala.
Teaching at the five public universities in the country was yesterday interrupted after non-academic staff withdrew their labour over government failure to honour its pledge to increase their salaries.
Students from Makerere, Busitema, Gulu, Kyambogo and Mbarara universities only have this week to prepare for their end of year examinations which begin on May 9. But business at the institutions was at a standstill yesterday as faculties and lecture rooms remained locked, leaving students and lecturers stranded.
Through their umbrella organisation, the Public Universities Non-Teaching Staff Executives Forum, the non-teaching staff said government has backtracked on its earlier promise to increase their salary in the 2016/2017 Budget.
According to Mr Jackson Betihamah, the association chairperson, the government’s allocation of Shs28 billion in the coming budget doesn’t cater for all their members and excluded arrears which were promised last year following a week-long strike.
“We need our money which President Museveni promised last year. Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura tried to intervene on Sunday and called a meeting which he will chair today (yesterday) with Finance ministry officials to find a way forward,” Mr Betihamah said in an interview yesterday.
The university workers were by yesterday locked up in the meeting with Finance minister Matia Kasaijja and permanent secretary Keith Muhakanizi. In an interview, Mr Betihamah said they will not commit themselves to work unless they get a letter signed by the responsible officials to guarantee their increment in August.
Mr Jim Mugunga, the ministry of Finance spokesperson, confirmed the meeting but explained that the letter wasn’t ready because Mr Muhakanizi had another meeting immediately after the one with the non-teaching staff but said before close of today, the letter will have been signed.